ENGAGING OIC STATES ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 041665 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KV SUBJECT: ENGAGING OIC STATES ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION REF: STATE 33629 ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request for OIC-member posts to approach host governments to urge recognition of Kosovo as well as to reinforce reftel demarche seeking support for Kosovo,s membership bids in the IMF and World Bank. Posts may advise Department if an approach would be counterproductive at this time. Action addressees may coordinate recognition efforts with British, French, German, Italian and Turkish counterparts as appropriate. Department requests posts report responses by May 4. (See paragraph 4 for link to list of countries that have recognized Kosovo.) Objectives -------------- ¶2. (SBU) We have received consistent reporting that a number of states were deferring a decision on Kosovo recognition until a critical mass of key states, including Saudi Arabia had acted. Saudi Arabia recognized Kosovo on April 20. Also, the IMF and World Bank votes on Kosovo membership will be held on May 5. We currently have 63 members who have committed to participate; we need a minimum of 93 to establish a quorum. In each case we have sufficient shares committed to win membership. But the vote will not be held if quorum is not established. It is therefore essential that each government participate in this process. Post may wish to draw from the following points: --- Kosovo's success remains a high priority for the United States. Its full development as a peaceful, multiethnic, democratic and independent state is a critical element in the international community's long-standing efforts to bring stability to the Balkans regions. --- Fifty-eight countries from around the world have recognized Kosovo, including the vast majority of the EU, NATO and Kosovo's neighbors, and all the G-7 members. Saudi Arabia,s recognition on April 20 brought the number of OIC member states recognizing Kosovo to 11. --- As Kosovo's political and diplomatic situation has rapidly stabilized and strengthened, the Government of Kosovo has begun to focus intensively on economic development. --- Voting currently is underway for Kosovo to join the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Membership in the IMF and WB will strengthen the international community's ability to provide policy advice to the Government of Kosovo and will unlock important sources of financing and technical assistance for the people of Kosovo. --- 93 registered votes are required for quorum for both the IMF and World Bank. If your government has not yet acted, we urge that you formally respond and register your votes before the respective deadlines of May 5 for the IMF and June 3 for the World Bank. It is essential that we achieve a quorum for these decisions to advance our Kosovo agenda. --- IF RAISED: Last fall, the UNGA adopted a Serbian-sponsored resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the narrow question of the legality of the manner in which Kosovo declared independence. As a practical matter, Kosovo's independence is irreversible. We respect the ICJ and cannot prejudge its advice, but the fact that the ICJ process is ongoing does not prevent new recognitions. There have in fact been 10 recognitions of Kosovo since the question was referred. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Embassies should report results of efforts by front channel cable before May 4. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- STATE 00041665 002 OF 002 ¶4. (SBU) For a list of countries that have recognized Kosovo see the following SIPRnet website http://www.state.sgov.gov/s/crs/index.cfm ?fuseaction=public.display&shortcut=I9B9. Please contact Kosovo Team Seiji Shiratori at 202-647-7729 or Paul Pfeuffer at 202-647-2452 for additional information. ¶5. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON